Why Rubber Gaskets are Critical for Industrial Applications
- 17 October 2024
The rubber gasket is vital in multiple industrial applications to help maintain the integrity of connections and systems by preventing gas and fluid leaks.
Even in harsh conditions, such as high temperatures and contact with abrasive particles or chemicals, rubber gaskets and seals will still work effectively. They can insulate against electricity and heat, while withstanding repeated compression and decompression. Flexible and versatile, they can conform to irregular surfaces.
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Rubber gaskets’ different industries
Industrial gaskets are suitable for many different applications in various industries, including automotive, where they’re an integral part of a vehicle’s engine, oil pans, fuel system and cylinder heads. Rubber seals protect passengers from the elements by sealing doors and windows.
Rubber gaskets and seals are used in aerospace including for HVAC systems, vent ducts and cabin pressurisation systems, preventing air from escaping to help maintain the interior pressure and oxygen level. They also protect electronic components, printed circuit boards, instrument panels and hydraulic components, reducing vibrations and wear and tear.
In plumbing, the rubber gasket is a vital part of every plumber’s armoury, sealing pipe fittings and connections for everyday plumbing fixtures in bathrooms, kitchens, toilets and more. A gasket seal prevents leaking in just about every application involving water systems around the home and workplace. On a larger scale, they are used extensively in the water and wastewater processing industry, with high-quality WRAS and KTW-approved rubber being safe for use with potable water up to a temperature of 23°C.
Gaskets are used in construction; filling gaps, they provide grip between different layers of materials, creating air and watertight seals in roofing, doors, windows and drainage systems. They are also used to create expansion gaps between concrete blocks; to protect structures from heat, moisture damage and environmental pollutants; to improve grip or resistance; and to provide protection from shock.
Completely indispensable in many different industrial applications, they provide a cost-effective solution to multiple challenges.
Why choose custom over standard rubber mouldings?
Custom rubber gaskets are often chosen over standard rubber mouldings because they meet specific needs. They can be designed for each bespoke application to improve performance and durability, creating an individual solution for each client.
Here at Coruba, we can produce a wide range of bespoke rubber products and parts at our purpose-built 11,000 sq. ft in-house manufacturing facility in Cambridgeshire, working with clients to fabricate the highest quality custom-made rubber products to meet their exact specifications.
Our custom gaskets can be designed to offer greater durability and a better performance when created to meet specific requirements. Manufactured from materials that will withstand the relevant environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, pressure and exposure to liquids or contaminants; bespoke gaskets can provide a greater sealing surface and protection through multiple points of contact, requiring less “squeeze” to provide an effective seal and reduce friction. Over time, this can offer long-term financial savings by reducing the need for replacements and maintenance.
We can offer a high degree of design flexibility because rubber is an extremely mouldable material that can be formed into different shapes.
Communicating with a manufacturer
When you require a bespoke rubber gasket, it’s vital to discuss a number of key considerations with the manufacturer such as its purpose, the general environment and whether it will be exposed to liquids, gases, chemicals or other environmental factors that might affect its use.
Coruba offers many custom-cut processes including slitting, die cutting, lamination, kiss cutting, pressing, waterjet cutting, punching and linishing. Please contact us to discuss your requirements and we’ll be happy to help.
Rubber mouldings can turn up in many settings, from humble electric kettles to a Formula 1 Grand Prix racing car engine! From a simple O-ring design to something out of the ordinary, we can create a bespoke design for just about any application.
While standard gaskets, seals and mouldings are fine for regular applications, there will always be times when a standard part simply doesn’t fulfil requirements. For example, for applications when the moulding is a major component of the end product, its design is of a high priority.
While it may be easy to continue with a standard rubber part that you’ve used for some time, it can be more cost-effective to use custom rubber parts.
Using bespoke rubber gaskets and seals can also offer environmental benefits, as operating criteria such as pressure, temperature, exposure to processes and contaminants, liquids, outgassing and just plain water may necessitate a custom-made solution.
Occasionally, the adoption of new regulations may require a better seal. For example, if the seal was fitted originally to prevent the ingress of fluids or dirt into an electronic unit, new custom seals can be fitted to shield against EMI (electromagnetic interference).
When you’re not sure what you need, reach out to our professional and friendly team. We can help!
